WO2023126649A1 - Physical input device for a human-machine interface, to be mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar - Google Patents

Abstract

Physical input device for a human-machine interface, to be mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar, for mapping button presses to actions of a host application or device, comprising: a casing comprising an electronic circuit; three or more buttons mounted on said casing; said electronic circuit comprising an electronic data processor configured for: detecting a button press; looking up the detected button press in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined action corresponding to the received button press; sending the retrieved action to the host application or device. Operation method thereof.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O N

PHYSICAL INPUT DEVICE FOR A HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE, TO BE MOUNTED ON A BICYCLE OR MOTORCYCLE HANDLEBAR

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a physical input device for a human-machine interface, to be mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar, in particular a bicycle or motorcycle control device with the capability to be used across multiple applications on a smartphone or other types of digital devices for controlling said applications or digital devices on a bicycle or motorcycle.

Background

[0002] Document WO2017032836A discloses a remote control unit for a display unit of an electric bicycle being arranged in the region of the handlebar, away from the display unit, and comprises support selection keys for selecting the support step and at least one input unit for navigating the menu and selecting menu items represented on the display unit.

[0003] DE19537394C2 discloses a Bicycle brake device, in particular for children's and disabled bicycles, with at least one service brake which can be actuated by the bicycle user, characterized in that a receiving device is provided on the bicycle which receives a signal from a transmitting device which is actuated by a monitoring person, the receiving device cooperating with an actuator which releases a prestressed spring of a bicycle brake for a braking operation which is triggered remotely by means of the transmitter.

[0004] US2016221627 AA discloses a bicycle system, in particular bicycle systems suitable for use with smart phones, smart phones configured for use with bicycle systems, and methods for use with such bicycle systems or smartphones, Software, and a server configured to communicate with such a bicycle system or smartphone. [0005] Document W02020011531 discloses a display device for a handlebar having a handlebar tube, in particular for a vehicle driven by muscle power and/or by motor power, a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an e-bike, comprising a projection unit, which is designed to produce and emit primary light representing a display image and is designed for mounting in the interior of the handlebar tube, and comprising a groundglass screen unit, which is designed to receive primary light emitted by the projection unit, as projected light for optically displaying a display image corresponding to the primary light, and is designed for mounting in a lateral surface region of the handlebar tube.

[0006] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.

General Description

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a generic interface device composed of a number of interaction buttons with specific identifications, but which can be associated with any arbitrary interactive features in the target interactive devices.

[0008] Rather than being a standalone device, the proposed device aims to be a complement to other interactive devices on the bicycle by offering them a properly designed solution to the complex problem of in-ride interaction.

[0009] The proposed device can be paired with one or more compatible devices, using some type of wireless technology, possibly, but not limited to, Bluetooth, and/or wire communication interfaces. After the initial pairing actions are executed by the cyclist, the pressing of the buttons is reported to the target devices. The communication involves any type of suitable protocol, possibly a standard one, existing or to be invented, that manages the communication exchanges between the present disclosure and the interactive devices.

[0010] The target interactive devices will need to implement a mapping mechanism that translates those interaction events into concrete actions. While this may be limited to specific types of interactions and may not be enough to satisfy all of the possible types of interactive features, it easily supports the vast majority of the most common ones, strongly reducing the cases when cyclists have to actually resort to the direct interactions with the target interactive devices.

[0011] This allows a single, generic and low-cost device, to be placed at the ideal position on bicycles for safe and convenient user-interactions to be performed while riding (that execute actions on the third party compatible devices). Those interactions will sustain the most common interaction needs that cyclists face while riding. One of the target customers for this product are cyclists that already use other digital technology on their bikes but need a more convenient way to perform frequent actions. The canonical use cases involve an interactive device placed at the center of the handlebar providing ride related information to the rider and being safely controlled with small finger movements directly from the handlebar grip. Other examples may include the standard audio control of the mobile phone on the pocket or simple equipment pieces like digital bicycle bells, bicycle lights, direction lights or special light devices placed to increase safety whenever the cyclist feels the need to increase his or her level of visibility to the other vehicles.

[0012] The present disclosure considers a device with a number of physical buttons that can easily be felt and uniquely identified, even without looking, allowing the interaction to be done without forcing the cyclist to deviate the eyes from the road.

[0013] The specific number of buttons is not defined. The limit should be imposed by the maximum number of buttons that can meaningfully, efficiently and safely be used for a specific invention embodiment.

[0014] In an embodiment, to be easier to distinguish, the buttons should not be similar. They should follow a hierarchy of primary, secondary, tertiary, and subsequent order actions. The primary button is bigger and takes the central position. Even though the concrete actions to which buttons will be associated are defined by the applications, a primary button should preferably be associated with the most common actions, so that the most frequent interactions are also the most convenient ones. The same logic should be followed for all the other buttons. [0015] The device itself should preferably be designed to be simple, reliable and low- cost. This is partially achieved by a very simple operation that requires very few dependencies between the proposed devices and the target interactive devices. In particular, the proposed device makes no assumptions and needs no knowledge about the features, the purposes, the affordances or the technologies of the target devices. It does not need any form of programming or configuration, other than the pairing process. Once paired with one or more devices, it just sends them notifications of the interaction events on its buttons, without any knowledge about their meaning. It will be up to the applications to make the association between the various button references (primary, secondary, tertiary...) and their corresponding actions in the applications. If there are multiple interactive devices being controlled, it will be up to them to make sure they are associated with different buttons.

[0016] This device can be developed under many different embodiments, depending on which design goals need to be optimized - Figure 1. In one possible embodiment, the device may be designed as an add-on ready to be attached to the handlebar at a location that is easily accessible from the normal hand position. In another embodiment, it can be produced as an augmented handlebar grip with the various buttons already embedded at various positions that are easy to press, possibly from different fingers and possibly using the lateral side of the grip. This later possibility offers an excellent opportunity to accommodate a larger number of controls by placing a control device on each side of the handlebar.

[0017] When temporarily disconnected from the interactive devices, there is not much that can be done in the sense of preserving some level of autonomous behavior. Still, the present disclosure includes an awareness mechanism to inform the cyclists, when a button is pressed, that the expected action is no longer available. This may be provided in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, a sound or some form of haptic feedback. An architecture of the solution can be seen below - Figure 2.

[0018] The proposed disclosure would be remotely controlling an independent external device and it would be possible to switch that controlled device by many others, very different between each other and produced by various brands, and the proposed product would still be able to control each of them.

[0019] The device is meant to support the remote invocation of contextual shortcuts commonly offered by mobile applications or cycling devices during a bicycle ride. In this context, applications or devices will normally offer a more limited set of features specially design to be used during the ride itself. Typical examples may include switching the current visualization from a map mode to a quantitative dashboard mode, increasing or decreasing the zoom on a map view, recenter a map, or display an incoming notification.

[0020] This present disclosure is not meant to serve as a general-purpose interaction device, similar in concept to a mouse or a keyboard. It is not a remote replacement for the interactions supported directly by those applications and devices and is not appropriate for complex interactive dialogues with multiple menus or data input.

[0021] It is disclosed a physical input device for a human-machine interface, to be mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar, for mapping button presses to actions of a host application or device, comprising: a casing comprising an electronic circuit; three or more buttons mounted on said casing; said electronic circuit comprising an electronic data processor configured for: detecting a button press; looking up the detected button press in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined action corresponding to the received button press; sending the retrieved action to the host application or device.

[0022] An embodiment comprises a visual indicator, wherein the host application or device comprises a display, and the electronic data processor is further configured for: detecting a display element from a portion of said display; looking up the detected display element in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined visual indicator corresponding to the detected display element; activating the visual indicator.

[0023] An embodiment comprises a visual, sound or haptic indicator, wherein the electronic data processor is further configured for indicating through said visual, sound or haptic indicator a successful sending of the retrieved action to the host application or device.

[0024] An embodiment comprises a light emitter, a liquid-crystal display - LCD, a lightemitting diode - LED, or combinations thereof; the haptic indicator comprises a vibration indicator; and the sound indicator comprises a loudspeaker or a buzzer.

[0025] In an embodiment, the buttons are 4 or 5 buttons, in particular 5 buttons.

[0026] An embodiment comprises a wireless connection means to the host application or device.

[0027] In an embodiment, the wireless connection is a Bluetooth connection.

[0028] An embodiment comprises a wired connection means to the host application or device.

[0029] In an embodiment, one of the buttons is arranged on a central position of the casing and is larger than any of the other buttons.

[0030] In an embodiment, the casing comprises and a fixture for mounting to the handlebar.

[0031] In an embodiment, the casing is for embedding in the handlebar.

[0032] It is also disclosed a method for controlling a physical input device for a humanmachine interface, to be mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar, for mapping button presses to actions of a host application or device, the device comprising: a casing comprising an electronic circuit; three or more buttons mounted on said casing; said electronic circuit comprising an electronic data processor; the method comprising the steps of: detecting a button press; looking up the detected button press in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined action corresponding to the received button press; sending the retrieved action to the host application or device.

[0033] In an embodiment, the physical input device comprises a visual indicator, wherein the host application or device comprises a display, and the method further comprises the steps of: detecting a display element from a portion of said display; looking up the detected display element in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined visual indicator corresponding to the detected display element; activating the visual indicator.

[0034] In an embodiment, the casing comprises a fixture for mounting to the handlebar or the casing is for embedding in the handlebar.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the description and should not be seen as limiting the scope of disclosure.

[0036] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the physical input device to be used as a remote-control unit.

[0037] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the physical input device architecture.

[0038] Figure 3 shows an example of an instance of a physical input device with 5 buttons.

[0039] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the physical input device.

Detailed Description

[0040] The specific semantic associated with each control is not and could not be defined beforehand. It only exists in the context of the association of the device with a specific usage context of a particular application or device. Still, there are a few widely used interaction patterns that are likely to result in very similar action across multiple application and devices. This can be reflected in the buttons of the proposed physical input device being used as a remote-control, which may be associated, a priori, with some of those usage patterns.

[0041] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the physical input device or remote-control unit and Figure 2 an embodiment of the remote-control system architecture.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 2, a remote-control unit system architecture of a possible instance of the present disclosure according to an embodiment include external device 1 wherein a execute action by a received commands (main digital interactive devices with wireless capabilities mounted on different places on the bike) and to send connectivity info (device ID, desired programable actions, etc..). The present disclosure further comprises a wireless like interface 2 for receiving connectivity info A and if paired, for sending commands B; a registry of paired devices 3 for pairing new device; a processing unit 5; a physical interface buttons pressed by the user 4 for sending commands to the processing unit; a haptic, sound or visual interface 6 and if feedback needed (e.g. no paired device), activate notification.

[0043] Figure 3 shows an example of an instance of a remote control with 5 buttons, all of which with broad but predefined semantics.

[0044] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the physical input device to be used as remote-control unit.

[0045] These conventions can be interpreted in many different ways by specific applications or devices. Still, they provide a shared reference to help users to make sense out of the otherwise undifferentiated controls and lower the barrier to interact with new applications or devices. However, it still requires a mapping between the controls on the remote controls and the interactive controls available on the target device or application. This mapping may already be defined for specific applications or devices developed with compatibility mechanisms. The generalization to other mobile applications and device can be achieved through a training method where the user is guided into executing the intended actions on the application or device and then, in the remote control, push the button that should become associated with that action.

[0046] The remote control is primarily conceived to be used with devices that include a display and the expectation is that the display itself will somehow represent the result of that action. Consequently, some instances of the remote control may be designed without any direct feedback to interactions. Other instances, however, may include at least some type of basic feedback just to signal the reception or the correct execution of the requested action. This direct feedback may be provided through multiple means, such as vibrations, a blinking light or even a small status display.

[0047] These same forms of feedback should also be used to provide continuous awareness of the connection status between the remote control and the target application or device.

[0048] Very diverse instances can be envisioned for this device. In one instance, the device is a small artefact that can easily be attached to the right or left position in the bicycle handlebar, just near the cyclist's hand. In another instance, the device is embedded in the bike itself, probably at the end-left and the end-right of the handlebar. The concrete number of interactive buttons may vary across multiple instances, most likely ranging from 3 to 7.

[0049] Each remote controller is equipped with its own rechargeable power source and does not rely on any assumptions about the availability of electric power on the bicycle. This can be recharged through any common means, such as connecting a USB- C cable to the device. This can be done when the device is in operation or not. It can be done with the device attached to the bicycle or when it is temporarily removed for charging or safe storage.

[0050] The connection between the remote controller and the target devices can be made using multiple short-range wireless technologies, with those more commonly available on those devices, e.g. Bluetooth, being the primary option.

[0051] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0052] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that unless otherwise indicated herein, the particular sequence of steps described is illustrative only and can be varied without departing from the disclosure. Thus, unless otherwise stated the steps described are so unordered meaning that, when possible, the steps can be performed in any convenient or desirable order.

[0053] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof. The above-described embodiments are combinable. The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

C L A I M S Physical input device for a human-machine interface, to be mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar, for mapping button presses to actions of a host application or device (17), comprising: a casing (7) comprising an electronic circuit; three or more buttons (4) mounted on said casing; said electronic circuit comprising an electronic data processor (5) configured for: detecting a button press; looking up the detected button press in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined action corresponding to the received button press; sending the retrieved action to the host application or device. Physical input device according to the previous claim comprising a visual indicator, wherein the host application or device comprises a display, and the electronic data processor is further configured for: detecting a display element from a portion of said display; looking up the detected display element in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined visual indicator corresponding to the detected display element; activating the visual indicator. Physical input device according to any of the previous claims comprising a visual, sound or haptic indicator (6), wherein the electronic data processor is further configured for indicating through said visual, sound or haptic indicator a successful sending of the retrieved action to the host application or device. Physical input device according to the previous claim wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitter, a liquid-crystal display - LCD, a lightemitting diode - LED, or combinations thereof; the haptic indicator comprises a vibration indicator; and the sound indicator comprises a loudspeaker or a buzzer. Physical input device according to any of the previous claims wherein the buttons are 4 or 5 buttons, in particular 5 buttons. Physical input device according to any of the previous claims comprising a wireless connection (2) means to the host application or device. Physical input device according to the previous claim wherein the wireless connection is a Bluetooth connection. Physical input device according to any of the claims 1-5 comprising a wired connection means to the host application or device. Physical input device according to any of the previous claims wherein one of the buttons is arranged on a central position of the casing and is larger than any of the other buttons. Physical input device according to any of the previous claims wherein the casing comprises a fixture (8) for mounting to the handlebar. Physical input device according to any of the claims 1-9 wherein the casing is for embedding in the handlebar. Method for controlling a physical input device for a human-machine interface, to be mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar, for mapping button presses to actions of a host application or device (17), the device comprising: a casing (7) comprising an electronic circuit; three or more buttons (4) mounted on said casing; said electronic circuit comprising an electronic data processor; the method comprising the steps of: detecting a button press; looking up the detected button press in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined action corresponding to the received button press; sending the retrieved action to the host application or device. Method according to the previous claim wherein the physical input device comprises a visual indicator, wherein the host application or device comprises a display, and the method further comprises the steps of: detecting a display element from a portion of said display; looking up the detected display element in a prearranged lookup table to retrieve a predetermined visual indicator corresponding to the detected display element; activating the visual indicator. Method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the casing comprises a fixture for mounting to the handlebar or the casing is for embedding in the handlebar.